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Matt Olmstead
Matt Olmstead
Matt Olmstead
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Matt Olmstead is an American writer and producer for television shows.[1]

Early life

[edit]

Olmstead graduated from California State University, Chico in 1988. He is an alumnus of the College of Humanities and Fine Arts. He went to Hollywood in hopes of being a script writer. Olmstead eventually worked with an agent, who set him up with Steven Bochco. After 10 minutes of talking, Bochco offered him the opportunity to write an episode for the show NYPD Blue.[2]

Career

[edit]

In 1993, Olmstead wrote for the television series NYPD Blue.[2] The series was created by Steven Bochco and David Milch. It focused on a single homicide unit in New York City. Olmstead eventually became an Executive Producer of NYPD Blue, and became a Producer in 2002.[3]

Olmstead worked as a writer on the series Brooklyn South in 1997. The series was created by Milch and Bochco along with William M. Finkelstein and ex-police officer Bill Clark. The show detailed the lives of a single precinct of police patrol officers. Olmstead wrote four episodes for the series' first season. The series was canceled after completing its first season.

He also worked as a writer and producer for NYPD 2069 in 2004. In 2005, he was one of the creators of the show Blind Justice. He wrote the Pilot and Episode 3. The show was canceled in June 2005 after just 13 episodes.

In 2012, Olmstead joined Chicago Fire as an executive producer. In 2014, he co-created the spin-off Chicago P.D..[4][5]

Though Olmstead was initially the "writer/showrunner" for Law & Order: Organized Crime, he stepped down in October 2020.[6]

Credits

[edit]

Stumptown (1 episode) (2019)

  • 1.02 “Missed Connections” (October 2, 2019)

The Crossing (1 episode) (2018)

  • 1.09 "Hope Smiles from the Thereshold" (writer)

Chicago P.D. (2014–present)

Olmstead is the co-creator of Chicago P.D. alongside Dick Wolf, and acts as the show's showrunner. He has written a number of episodes and is an executive producer on every episode.

  • 1.01 – "Stepping Stone" (January 8, 2014)
  • 1.12 – "8:30 pm" (April 30, 2014) (story co-written with Dick Wolf, teleplay by Michael Brandt & Derek Haas)
  • 2.01 – "Call It Macaroni" (September 24, 2014)
  • 2.07 – "They'll Have to Go Through Me" (November 11, 2014) (story co-written with Dick Wolf, teleplay by Maisha Closson)
  • 2.17 – "Say Her Real Name" (March 25, 2015) (story co-written with Dick Wolf, teleplay by Craig Gore & Tim Walsh)
  • 2.20 – "The Number of Rats" (April 29, 2015) (story co-written with Warren Leight, teleplay co-written with Cole Maliska)

Chicago Fire (2012–present) Olmstead is the showrunner of Chicago Fire, joining the show as an executive producer after the show's pilot.[7] Olmstead has written a number of episodes and is an executive producer from episode 2 onwards.

  • 1.03 – "Professional Courtesy" (October 24, 2012)
  • 1.12 – "Under the Knife" (January 9, 2013) (co-written with Ryan Rege Harris)
  • 1.14 – "A Little Taste" (February 6, 2013) (co-written with Hilly Hicks Jr.)
  • 1.17 – "Better to Lie" (February 27, 2013) (co-written with Ryan Rege Harris)
  • 1.21 – "Retaliation Hit" (May 1, 2013) (co-written with Hilly Hicks, Jr.)
  • 1.22 – "Leaders Lead" (May 8, 2013) (story co-written with Dick Wolf, teleplay by Michael Brandt & Derek Haas)
  • 1.23 – "Let Her Go" (May 15, 2013) (story co-written with Dick Wolf, teleplay by Michael Brandt & Derek Haas)
  • 2.04 – "A Nuisance Call" (October 15, 2013) (co-written with Hilly Hicks, Jr.)
  • 2.16 – "A Rocket Blasting Off" (March 11, 2014) (co-written with Hilly Hicks, Jr.)
  • 2.18 – "Until Your Feet Leave the Ground" (April 8, 2014) (co-written with Mick Betancourt)
  • 2.20 – "A Dark Day" (April 29, 2014) (story co-written with Dick Wolf, teleplay by Michael Brandt & Derek Haas)
  • 2.22 – "Real Never Waits" (May 13, 2014) (co-written with Derek Haas)
  • 3.07 – "Nobody Touches Anything" (November 11, 2014) (teleplay co-written with Jill Weinberger, story by Dick Wolf and Jill Weinberger)
  • 3.14 – "Call It Paradise" (February 10, 2015) (co-written with Michael A. O'Shea)
  • 3.17 – "Forgive You Anything" (March 10, 2015) (story co-written with Dick Wolf, teleplay by Andrea Newman)
  • 3.19 – "I Am the Apocalypse" (April 7, 2015) (story co-written with Dick Wolf, teleplay by Michael Brandt & Derek Haas)
  • 3.21 – "We Called Her Jellybean" (April 28, 2015) (story co-written with Tiller Russell, teleplay by Tiller Russell)

Prison Break (13 episodes) Olmstead is credited for being a writer and an executive producer for the successful Fox network's television series, Prison Break.

Breakout Kings (23 episodes) Olmstead is credited with being a writer and an executive producer for A&E's television series Breakout Kings.

  1. Pilot (March 6, 2011) – executive producer, (written)
  2. Collected (March 13, 2011) – executive producer
  3. The Bag Man (March 20, 2011) – executive producer
  4. Out of the Mouths of Babes (March 27, 2011) – executive producer
  5. Queen of Hearts (April 3, 2011) – executive producer, (written)
  6. Like Father, Like Son (April 10, 2011) – executive producer
  7. Fun with Chemistry (April 17, 2011) – executive producer
  8. Steaks (April 24, 2011) – executive producer
  9. One for the Money (May 1, 2011) – executive producer
  10. Paid in Full (May 8, 2011) – executive producer
  11. Off the Beaten Path (May 15, 2011) – executive producer
  12. There Are Rules (May 22, 2011) – executive producer
  13. Where in the World Is Carmen Vega (May 30, 2011) – executive producer
  14. An Unjust Death (March 4, 2012) – executive producer
  15. Round Two (March 11, 2012) – executive producer
  16. Double Down (March 18, 2012) – executive producer
  17. Cruz Control (March 25, 2012) – executive producer
  18. Self Help (April 1, 2012) – executive producer
  19. I Smell Emmy (April 8, 2012) – executive producer
  20. Ain't Love (50) Grand? (April 15, 2012) – executive producer
  21. SEALd Fate (April 22, 2012) – executive producer
  22. Served Cold (April 29, 2012) – executive producer
  23. Freakshow (April 29, 2012) – executive producer

Blind Justice (5 episodes)

  • 1 – Pilot (March 8, 2005) (written)
  • 3 – Rub a Tub Tub (March 22, 2005) (written)
  • 8 – Past Imperfect (April 26, 2005) (written)
  • 11 – Dance with Me (May 17, 2005) (written)
  • 12 – Under the Gun (May 31, 2005) (written)

NYPD Blue (71 episodes)

  • 6.10 – Show & Tell (January 12, 1999) (written)
  • 6.16 – T'aint Misbehavin (April 13, 1999) (written)
  • 7.06 – Brothers Under Arms (February 15, 2000) (written)
  • 7.09 – Jackass (February 29, 2000) (written)
  • 7.14 – Sleep Over (April 4, 2000) (written)
  • 7.17 – Roll Out the Barrel (April 25, 2000) (written)
  • 8.01 – Daveless in New York (January 9, 2001) (written)
  • 10.01 – Ho Down (September 24, 2002) – (produced)
  • 10.02 – You've Got Mail (October 1, 2002) (produced)
  • 10.03 – One in the Nuts (October 8, 2002) (produced)
  • 10.04 – Meat Me in the Park (October 15, 2002) (produced)
  • 10.05 – Death by Cycle (October 22, 2002) (produced)
  • 10.06 – Maya Con Dios (October 29, 2002) (produced)
  • 10.07 – Das Boots (November 12, 2002) (produced)
  • 10.08 – Below the Belt (November 19, 2002) (produced)
  • 10.09 – Half-Ashed (November 26, 2002) (produced)
  • 10.10 – Healthy McDowell Movement (December 10, 2002) (produced)
  • 10.11 – I Kid You Not (January 7, 2003) (produced)
  • 10.12 – Arrested Development (January 14, 2003) (produced)
  • 10.13 – Bottoms Up (February 4, 2003) (produced)
  • 10.14 – Laughlin All the Way to the Clink (February 11, 2003) (produced)
  • 10.15 – Tranny Get Your Gun (February 18, 2003) (produced)
  • 10.16 – Nude Awakening (February 25, 2003) (produced)
  • 10.17 – Off the Wall (April 8, 2003) (produced)
  • 10.18 – Marine Life (April 15, 2003) (produced)
  • 10.19 – Meet the Grandparents (April 29, 2003) (produced)
  • 10.20 – Maybe Baby (May 6, 2003) (produced)
  • 10.21 – Yo, Adrian (May 13, 2003) (produced)
  • 10.22 – 22 Skidoo (May 20, 2003) (produced)
  • 11.01 – Frickin' Fraker (September 23, 2003) (produced)
  • 11.02 – Your Bus, Ted (September 30, 2003) (produced)
  • 11.03 – Shear Stupidity (October 7, 2003) (produced)
  • 11.04 – Porn Free (October 14, 2003) (produced)
  • 11.05 – Keeping Abreast (October 21, 2003) (produced & written)
  • 11.06 – Andy Appleseed (October 28, 2003) (produced)
  • 11.07 – It's to Die For (November 4, 2003) (produced)
  • 11.08 – And the Wenner Is... (November 18, 2003) (produced)
  • 11.09 – Only Schmucks Pay Income Tax (November 25, 2003) (produced)
  • 11.10 – You Da Bomb (February 10, 2004) (produced & written)
  • 11.11 – Passing the Stone (February 17, 2004) (produced)
  • 11.12 – Chatty Chatty Bang Bang (March 2, 2004) (produced)
  • 11.13 – Take My Wife, Please (March 9, 2004) (produced)
  • 11.14 – Colonel Knowledge (March 16, 2004) (produced)
  • 11.15 – Old Yeller (March 23, 2004) (produced)
  • 11.16 – On the Fence (March 30, 2004) (produced)
  • 11.17 – In Goddess We Trussed (April 6, 2004) (produced)
  • 11.18 – The Brothers Grim (April 13, 2004) (produced)
  • 11.19 – Peeler? I Hardley Knew Her (April 20, 2004) (produced)
  • 11.20 – Traylor Trash (April 27, 2004) (produced)
  • 11.21 – What's Your Poison? (May 4, 2004) (produced)
  • 11.22 – Who's Your Daddy? (May 11, 2004) (produced)
  • 12.01 – Dress for Success (September 21, 2004) (produced)
  • 12.02 – Fish Out of Water (September 28, 2004) (produced)
  • 12.03 – Great Balls of Ire (October 12, 2004) (produced)
  • 12.04 – Divorce, Detective Style (October 12, 2004) (produced)
  • 12.05 – You're Buggin' Me (October 26, 2004) (produced)
  • 12.06 – The Vision Thing (November 9, 2004) (produced)
  • 12.07 – My Dinner with Andy (November 16, 2004) (produced)
  • 12.08 – I Like Ike (November 23, 2004) (produced)
  • 12.09 – The 3-H Club (November 30, 2004) (produced)
  • 12.10 – The Dead Donald (December 7, 2004) (produced)
  • 12.11 – Bale Out (December 14, 2004) (produced)
  • 12.12 – I Love My Wives, But Oh You Kid (December 21, 2004) (produced)
  • 12.13 – Stoli with a Twist (January 11, 2005) (produced)
  • 12.14 – Stratis Fear (January 18, 2005) (produced)
  • 12.15 – La Bomba (January 25, 2005) (produced)
  • 12.16 – Old Man Quiver (February 1, 2005) (produced)
  • 12.17 – Sergeant Sipowicz' Lonely Hearts Club Band (February 8, 2005) (produced)
  • 12.18 – Lenny Scissorhands (February 15, 2005) (produced)
  • 12.19 – Bale to the Chief (February 22, 2005) (produced)
  • 12.20 – Moving Day (March 1, 2005) (produced)

Short film

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Matt Olmstead

View on Grokipedia
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Matt Olmstead is an American television writer and producer renowned for his contributions to procedural dramas and crime series, including executive producing Prison Break, co-creating Chicago P.D., and leading the expansion of NBC's Chicago franchise as well as roles on CBS's FBI: International. Born around 1965, Olmstead grew up in Santa Rosa, , and earned his degree from in 1988. His early career involved writing a for Homicide: Life on the Street and freelancing as a on Brooklyn South. He gained prominence during a seven-year tenure on , where he advanced to head writer and executive producer under . In 2005, following a two-year, seven-figure overall deal with 20th Century Fox Television, Olmstead became and for the Fox series Prison Break, overseeing its initial 13 episodes and subsequent seasons. Transitioning to in 2012, he joined Chicago Fire post-pilot as and for its first season, then co-created the spin-off Chicago P.D. in 2014 alongside . As the franchise grew, Olmstead served as on and , though he stepped down as Chicago P.D. after its fourth season in 2017 to focus on broader oversight. Olmstead's later projects include co-showrunning ABC's Stumptown in 2019 and executive producing Dick Wolf's Law & Order: Organized Crime, with a return as in late 2024 to assist on season 5 production. He served as an on FBI: International from 2021, earning promotion to for its third and fourth seasons until the series' conclusion in 2025. He is married to Dawn Olmstead.

Early life and education

University attendance

Olmstead grew up in Santa Rosa, . Matt Olmstead graduated from in 1988 from the College of Humanities and Fine Arts. The College of Humanities and Fine Arts at emphasizes interdisciplinary studies that integrate arts, literature, , languages, and to foster creative expression and . During his time at Chico State, Olmstead contributed to The Orion, the university's student newspaper, as a staff member, gaining practical experience in and . His involvement with The Orion earned him induction into its Hall of Fame, highlighting his early engagement with written communication and campus media activities. Olmstead's university education directly influenced his subsequent relocation to Hollywood to pursue opportunities in television writing.

Transition to Hollywood

Following his graduation from in 1988, Matt Olmstead relocated to to pursue a career in television . His initial months in Hollywood were marked by acclimation to the industry, during which he supported himself through entry-level work, including a position as an assistant at a talent agency. Olmstead faced early challenges, such as selling a feature script that ultimately was not produced, prompting him to return to a conventional 9-to-5 job in what he later described as a "gut-check moment" with no backup plan. Despite these setbacks, he persisted in writing, eventually securing an agent who provided crucial guidance by directing him to craft a for the series Homicide: Life on the Street. This proved pivotal, opening doors to freelance writing opportunities on , a project produced by . The agent's facilitation of this path connected Olmstead to Bochco, leading to further professional development and his entry into staff writing roles under the renowned producer.

Personal life

Marriage

Matt Olmstead has been married to Dawn Olmstead since approximately 2008. Dawn Olmstead is a and executive who has held senior roles at Universal Cable Productions, including of development. The couple collaborated as executive producers on the series , which premiered in 2005. The marriage has fostered mutual support in their careers, as Dawn has noted having a receptive partner in Matt for discussing work challenges after long days. The couple has resided in Los Angeles, where their blended family life intersects with the demands of Hollywood.

Family

Matt Olmstead and his wife, Dawn Olmstead, have formed a blended family consisting of five children. Dawn has three children from her previous marriage to Jon Harmon Feldman, to whom Olmstead is stepfather, and the couple has two children together. Olmstead became a stepfather to the three children around 2007. In 2018, the children ranged in age from 10 to 19, reflecting the diverse dynamics of their household. The family resided in upscale Los Angeles neighborhoods, including Hancock Park, where they owned a historic 1928 Paul R. Williams-designed Country English home for approximately a decade before selling it in 2019 for $5.46 million. They also purchased a 2,200-square-foot waterfront property on Little Balboa Island in Newport Beach in 2016 for $3.125 million, which featured canal access and served as a seasonal retreat; it was sold in 2020 for $3.2 million. The blended family's structure has shaped Olmstead's work-life balance, with the couple mutually supporting each other's high-pressure careers in production while prioritizing family time.

Career

Early television work

Olmstead broke into television by writing a for Homicide: Life on the Street, which caught the attention of and led to his first professional credit as a freelance writer on the 1997-1998 CBS series , contributing to four episodes. He was hired as a writer for the ABC police drama , created by and , starting in 1998. Over the course of the series' run, he wrote 57 episodes (35 teleplays and 22 stories) and served in various producing capacities on 129 episodes, honing his skills in crafting character-driven stories centered on the personal and professional lives of detectives. His early scripts helped establish the show's signature blend of gritty procedural elements and emotional depth, drawing from real-life inspirations provided by technical advisor Bill Clark. Under Bochco's mentorship, Olmstead rapidly advanced within the , serving as starting in 2000, supervising producer in 2001, co-executive producer from 2001 to 2002, and from 2002 to 2004. Bochco, recognizing Olmstead's potential after a pivotal script review session, extended his contract and guided his development as a , emphasizing authentic and moral complexity in . Notable examples of his work include the season 8 episode "Lies Like a Rug" (2001), co-written with Bochco and , which explored themes of and redemption and earned an 8.9/10 rating from viewers for its intense character arcs, and the season 12 premiere "Dress for Success" (2004), where he provided the story and teleplay, focusing on Sipowicz's leadership challenges. These contributions solidified Olmstead's reputation within Bochco's orbit, where he learned to balance high-stakes drama with nuanced interpersonal dynamics. He continued this trajectory with the 2004 pilot NYPD 2069, a futuristic extension of the universe, which he co-wrote and produced alongside Bochco and Nicholas Wootton, though it did not advance to series. By the conclusion of in 2005, after 12 seasons, Olmstead had departed the show to pursue independent projects, leveraging his experience to develop original series outside the Bochco umbrella.

Original series development

In the mid-2000s, Matt Olmstead transitioned to co-creating original series, marking his first major foray into leading creative control on new projects. His debut as a co-creator came with Blind Justice, a crime drama that premiered on ABC in March 2005, co-developed with and Nicholas Wootton. The series followed a blind detective navigating police work, drawing on Olmstead's prior experience writing for NYPD Blue to inform its procedural elements. Despite positive reviews for its writing and character depth, Blind Justice was canceled after its initial 13-episode order, concluding in May 2005 amid low ratings. Olmstead's role expanded significantly as for Prison Break, which he executive-produced alongside creator from its Fox debut in 2005 through season 4 in 2009. Overseeing the serialized escape thriller's narrative arc, Olmstead wrote 13 episodes across these seasons, contributing to key plot developments like the intricate breakout and subsequent manhunt. The series achieved critical acclaim for its high-stakes tension and ensemble dynamics, earning a Golden Globe nomination for in 2006, though Olmstead navigated creative challenges such as network demands for escalating twists and the decision to conclude Michael's storyline in the season 4 finale. Following , Olmstead served as consulting producer on Fox's from 2009 to 2010, writing two episodes. Building on 's success, Olmstead co-created in 2011 with , positioning it as a spin-off within the same universe by featuring escaped convict Theodore "T-Bag" Bagwell. Aired on A&E, the centered on a of former inmates tracking fugitives and ran for two seasons totaling 23 episodes, with Olmstead serving as . The show faced similar hurdles to his earlier projects, including cancellation in 2012 due to insufficient viewership despite its fresh premise of blending criminal insight with . These endeavors highlighted Olmstead's ability to helm ambitious originals, even amid the industry's volatility with short runs and abrupt endings.

Chicago franchise involvement

In 2012, Matt Olmstead joined the production of Chicago Fire as an shortly after its pilot episode, helping to shape the series' direction as part of Dick Wolf's expanding procedural universe on . His involvement extended to co-creating the spin-off Chicago P.D. in 2014 alongside Wolf, where he served as through its first four seasons, overseeing the police-focused narrative and ensemble dynamics. Olmstead also acted as executive producer on the subsequent spin-offs Chicago Med, which he co-created with Wolf and which premiered in 2015, and Chicago Justice, a short-lived legal drama that aired for one season in 2017 before its cancellation. Under his guidance, these series formed the interconnected "One Chicago" universe, emphasizing shared character arcs—such as those involving firefighters, police officers, doctors, and prosecutors—and annual crossover events that integrated storylines across the shows to heighten dramatic tension and viewer engagement. For instance, multi-episode crossovers in 2015 and 2016 linked investigations from Chicago Fire through Chicago P.D. and Chicago Med, allowing characters like Sergeant Hank Voight and Dr. Will Halstead to interact in unified narratives. Olmstead departed as of Chicago P.D. at the end of its fourth season in 2017 to pursue new creative opportunities, including a lucrative overall deal with ABC Studios, though the split with remained amicable amid the franchise's ongoing expansion.

Later network projects

Following his departure from the Chicago franchise in 2017, Olmstead signed an overall deal with ABC Studios, allowing him to develop new projects for the network. In 2018, he served as an executive producer on the ABC science fiction drama The Crossing, where he also wrote one episode. The series, which explored themes of refugees from a dystopian future arriving in present-day America, ran for one season before cancellation. Olmstead next co-showran ABC's Stumptown in 2019, a crime drama based on the comic book series starring as a ; he contributed as writer on one episode during its first season. He departed the series ahead of its planned second season in July 2020, shortly before ABC reversed its renewal due to production delays from the . Returning to NBC in 2020, Olmstead was the initial showrunner for Law & Order: Organized Crime, a spin-off from Law & Order: Special Victims Unit centered on Christopher Meloni's character tackling organized crime units. He stepped down from the role in October 2020, prior to the series' premiere, as the production sought additional time to refine its direction. Olmstead joined the FBI franchise on CBS as an executive producer for FBI: International starting with its 2021 debut, writing several episodes across the early seasons. He was elevated to showrunner for season 3 in 2023, overseeing the procedural's expansion into international cases while maintaining ties to the broader Wolf Entertainment universe. In October 2025, Hulu's ordered a pilot for , an adaptation of the series by and ; Olmstead was tapped as showrunner and executive producer. The project, set in a gritty Southern town rife with corruption and revenge, marks his latest network endeavor.

Filmography

Television credits

Olmstead began his television writing career with contributions to (1997–1998), where he wrote four episodes, including "Cinnamon Buns" and "Queens for a Day." His most extensive early involvement was with (1993–2005), serving as a for 35 teleplay episodes from 1998 to 2004 and 22 story episodes from 2001 to 2004, while also acting as a and from 2002 to 2005 across approximately 71 episodes in total. Olmstead co-created Blind Justice (2005), executive producing the series and writing six episodes, including the pilot. For Prison Break (2005–2009, 2017), he served as showrunner for seasons 1 through 4, executive producer, and writer for 13 episodes. As consulting producer on Lie to Me (2009–2011), Olmstead contributed to 19 episodes. He co-created (2011–2012) with , all 23 episodes and writing multiple installments, including the pilot. Olmstead served as and for the first of Chicago Fire (2012–present), from 2012 to 2017. He co-created and Chicago P.D. (2014–present) as from 2014 to 2017, transitioning to thereafter, with ongoing credits as of 2025. Olmstead co-created (2015–present), serving as executive producer with credits continuing as of 2025. For the short-lived (2017), he developed and executive produced all 13 episodes. Olmstead executive produced The Crossing (2018), writing one episode, "Hope Smiles from the Threshold." He joined Stumptown (2019–2021) as co-showrunner for season 1 and writer for one episode. Olmstead created : Organized Crime (2021–present), initially serving as showrunner and before stepping down in October 2020, with continued credits. For FBI: International (2021–2025), he served as starting in 2021 and became showrunner from season 3 (2023) through its fourth and final season, following the series' cancellation in March 2025.
ShowYearsRolesEpisodes (if specified)
Brooklyn South1997–19984
NYPD Blue1993–2005, Producer, ~71 total involvement
Blind Justice2005Co-creator, , 6 written
Prison Break2005–2017 (S1–4), , 13 written
Lie to Me2009–2011Consulting Producer19
Breakout Kings2011–2012Co-creator, , 23 total, multiple written
Chicago Fire2012–present and (2012–2017)Ongoing as of 2025
Chicago P.D.2014–presentCo-creator, / (2014–2017), ConsultantOngoing as of 2025
Chicago Med2015–presentCo-creator, Ongoing as of 2025
Chicago Justice2017Developer, 13
The Crossing2018, 1 written
Stumptown2019–2021Co-showrunner (S1), 1 written
Law & Order: Organized Crime2021–presentCreator, (initial), Ongoing
FBI: International2021–2025, (S3–4)4 seasons

Short films and other works

In addition to his extensive television work, Matt Olmstead has contributed to a handful of short films as a . His first notable short, Wake (2012), directed by Lin Oeding, explores the resurfacing of a brother and sister's troubled past during their father's funeral. The three-minute stars actors including and was shot efficiently to highlight emotional connections. Olmstead later wrote The Tattooed Heart (2019), a tense short film directed by Sheldon Wong Schwartz. The story follows a creative writing instructor at a juvenile detention center who bonds with a troubled student but faces escalating danger as a result. Starring , , and , the film premiered at festivals such as the Omaha Film Festival and Northeast Film Festival. Produced by Lin Oeding and others, it underscores themes of vulnerability and risk in mentorship. Beyond shorts, Olmstead has been involved in unproduced pilots. He co-created and co-wrote NYPD 2069 (2004), a futuristic police drama set in in the year 2069, alongside and Nicholas Wootton. Directed by and produced for , the pilot follows a whose consciousness is transferred into a after a near-fatal incident, blending sci-fi elements with procedural tropes. Though it aired as a TV movie, the project did not advance to series. Olmstead's production ventures include his company, Matt Olmstead Productions, established to handle creation and production of television, film, and theatrical content. The banner has appeared on several of his projects, including Breakout Kings (2011–2012) and elements of the Chicago franchise. In 2017, following his departure from Chicago P.D., Olmstead entered into an overall deal with ABC Studios to develop new programming across broadcast and cable. This multi-year agreement facilitated opportunities like his involvement in Stumptown (2019). More recently, in October 2025, Hulu ordered a pilot for Southern Bastards, an adaptation of the graphic novel series by and . Olmstead serves as showrunner and executive producer on the project, written by and directed by , focusing on gritty Southern drama in a small town. Executive produced through Matt Olmstead Productions and others, the pilot marks his return to high-profile development post-ABC deal.

References

  1. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1631709/
  2. https://deadline.com/2017/03/chicago-matt-olmstead-depart-chicago-pd-showrunner-1202057105/
  3. https://www.tvline.com/news/fbi-international-showrunner-season-3-matt-olmstead-cbs-1235054675/
  4. https://www.marinij.com/2005/12/01/a-big-break-for-tv-producer-and-chico-state-grad-matt-olmstead/
  5. https://ew.com/tv/2017/03/31/chicago-pd-matt-olmstead-step-down-showrunner/
  6. https://deadline.com/2013/05/chicago-fire-chicago-pd-showrunner-matt-olmstead-inks-overall-deal-with-uni-tv-511281/
  7. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/chicago-pd-showrunner-matt-olmstead-exit-990548/
  8. https://deadline.com/2019/10/stumptown-matt-olmstead-co-showrunner-abc-series-1202770843/
  9. https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/matt-olmstead/credits/3030224020/
  10. https://deadline.com/2024/11/john-shiban-showrunner-depart-law-and-order-organized-crime-matt-olmstead-1236187244/
  11. https://www.themoviedb.org/person/1214477-matt-olmstead?language=en-US
  12. https://telltaletv.com/2025/03/fbi-most-wanted-and-fbi-international-canceled-at-cbs/
  13. https://www.chicoer.com/2005/12/01/a-big-break-for-tv-producer-and-chico-state-grad-matt-olmstead/
  14. https://www.csuchico.edu/alumni/distinguished-alumni/distinguished-alumni-alpha.shtml
  15. https://www.csuchico.edu/academics/college/humanities-fine-arts/
  16. https://www.facebook.com/ChicoJourPR/photos/this-familiar-name-scrolled-by-during-the-opening-credits-of-abcs-stumptown-matt/2580891478614721/
  17. https://www.cnn.com/2011/LIVING/06/07/step.parenting.basics/index.html
  18. https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2019-08-15/hot-property-newsletter-john-stamos-leeza-gibbons-anne-heche
  19. https://parade.com/427102/stephaniestephens/making-great-shows-happen-dawn-parouse-olmstead-at-universal-cable-productions/
  20. https://www.televisionacademy.com/features/news/features/hard-easy
  21. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0663280/bio/
  22. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/ucp-president-dawn-olmstead-creating-high-end-content-podcasts-1161484/
  23. https://www.latimes.com/business/real-estate/story/2019-08-09/leeza-gibbons-springs-for-a-pedigreed-paul-williams-home-in-hancock-park
  24. https://www.latimes.com/business/real-estate/story/2020-05-01/chicago-pd-co-creator-cuts-a-deal-on-little-balboa-island
  25. https://www.chicoer.com/20051201/a-big-break-for-tv-producer-and-chico-state-grad-matt-olmstead/
  26. https://variety.com/2005/scene/markets-festivals/nypd-alum-gets-break-with-fox-tv-1117924995/
  27. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106079/fullcredits/
  28. https://www.wga.org/writers-room/101-best-lists/101-best-written-tv-series/nypd-blue
  29. http://tviv.org/Matt_Olmstead
  30. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0656344/
  31. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0341174/fullcredits/
  32. https://variety.com/2005/tv/reviews/blind-justice-2-1200527377/
  33. https://www.chicagotribune.com/2005/03/06/abc-looks-for-justice/
  34. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0455275/fullcredits/
  35. https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a156397/producer-defends-prison-break-ending/
  36. https://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/27/arts/television/27breakout.html
  37. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/breakout-kings-canceled-326277/
  38. https://deadline.com/2010/06/its-official-breakout-kings-lands-at-ae-50574/
  39. https://variety.com/2011/tv/news/how-breakout-kings-found-new-life-at-a-e-1118032765/
  40. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/chicago-med-creator-addresses-unfortunate-832625/
  41. https://www.assignmentx.com/2016/chicago-med-executive-producer-matt-olmstead-also-talks-fire-and-p-d-exclusive-interview/
  42. https://ew.com/article/2016/01/04/chicago-fire-pd-med-crossover-spoilers/
  43. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/chicago-pd-showrunner-moves-abc-studios-rich-deal-999212/
  44. https://variety.com/2017/tv/news/sophia-bush-chicago-pd-exit-1202444910/
  45. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6461824/fullcredits/
  46. https://variety.com/2018/tv/reviews/crossing-review-abc-steve-zahn-1202737614/
  47. https://onechicagocenter.com/2020/07/28/stumptown-matt-olmstead-leaves/
  48. https://deadline.com/2020/10/law-order-organized-crime-matt-olmstead-exits-showrunner-svu-spinoff-christopher-meloni-star-1234590295/
  49. https://deadline.com/2023/10/law-order-svu-writers-room-chicago-fire-fbi-international-showrunner-wolf-entertainment-1235564367/
  50. https://deadline.com/2025/10/hulu-orders-southern-bastards-bill-dubuque-nia-dacosta-1236602566/
  51. https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/onyx-collective-southern-bastards-pilot-1236565880/
  52. https://www.tvrage.com/person/id-19979/Matt_Olmstead/
  53. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0424609/
  54. https://www.themoviedb.org/person/1214477-matt-olmstead
  55. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1590961/
  56. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/olmstead-inks-deal-stay-at-153661/
  57. https://deadline.com/2025/06/fbi-international-derek-haas-cbs-cancellation-1236439481/
  58. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goWfVt1LXNA
  59. https://www.stabilizer-news.com/lifted-a-short-film-shot-on-the-ronin-m/
  60. https://hobnobben.org/2019-films/the-tattooed-heart
  61. https://www.facebook.com/NortheastFilmFestival/videos/sneak-peek-of-the-tattooed-heart-starring-jennifer-morrison-screening-saturday-s/2356248864702421/
  62. https://omahafilmfestival2020.sched.com/speaker/the_tattooed_heart.20n9b4uq
  63. https://deadline.com/2018/10/nypd-blue-sequel-andy-sipowicz-son-abc-pilot-1202448390/
  64. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0341174/
  65. https://variety.com/2002/scene/markets-festivals/bochco-fox-cop-a-look-at-nypd-2069-1117871374/
  66. https://trademarks.justia.com/owners/matt-olmstead-productions-inc-2240666/
  67. https://www.avid.wiki/Matt_Olmstead_Productions
  68. https://deadline.com/2017/05/rick-eid-leavelaw-order-svu-new-chicago-pd-showrunner-1202092681/
  69. https://imagecomics.com/press-releases/southern-bastards-gets-hulu-pilot-order
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